BETHLEHEM, PA - It's been played by Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Now the Nazareth-based C.F. Martin & Co., Inc. the largest producer of acoustic guitars in the U.S., is giving one lucky winner the opportunity to win his or her very own Martin D-28 during Musikfest, the 10-day music festival set for Aug. 3-12 in Bethlehem.

As a kick-off to the 29th year of Musikfest, Martin Guitar is giving away a VIP experience that includes a private tour of the Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth, an opportunity to meet C.F. Martin & Co. Chairman and CEO Chris Martin IV and a brand-new D-28 signed by Mr. Martin. The contest will launch at the festival on Musikfest's opening night, Aug. 3, 7 p.m., when C.F Martin & Co. Director of Museum & Archives and Special Projects Dick Boak visits the festival to present the guitar at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz, the festival's singer-songwriter stage located at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. People can register for the contest at Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz Aug. 3-12, as well as online now through Aug. 12, with the winner announced on the Martin Guitar Facebook page Aug. 15 at noon.

"Martin Guitar Lyrikplatz is the destination at Musikfest where audiences head to enjoy talented singer-songwriters, many of whom perform on acoustic guitars including Martins," says Amani Duncan, Vice President of Brand Marketing for C.F. Martin & Company. "Partnering with Musikfest to give away one of our signature D-28s is the perfect way to kick off this year's festival. We're excited for Musikfest 2012, and we can't wait for all the great music to begin."

The Dreadnought by which all others are judged, the D-28 is constructed of solid East Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top and mahogany neck. The instrument, which retails for $3,000, has long been a favorite of some of music's biggest names and is ideal for both beginning and intermediate guitar players. Massive bass response balanced with articulate highs makes it a benchmark acoustic guitar and a 'must-have' for every guitarist.

For more information on Martin guitars, please visit www.martinguitar.com. For more information on Musikfest, please see www.musikfest.org.

About Martin Guitar & Strings

C.F Martin & Co. (www.martinguitar.com) has been creating the finest instruments in the world for over 175 years. It continues to innovate, introducing techniques and features that have become industry standards including X-bracing, the 14-fret guitar and the "Dreadnought" size.

One of the world’s leading acoustic instrument makers, Martin guitars are hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women, who use a combination of new design and techniques along with those introduced by the company founder.

The company is also known for producing high-quality, popular acoustic guitar strings. These include the Martin SP® LIFESPAN™ line - the fastest-growing treated string in the industry, and the Martin SP line - which uses an industry leading core wire to hold tunings better.

Martin guitars and Martin Strings are the instruments and strings of choice for musicians around the world, from the icons of rock, country, folk and bluegrass to those just beginning their careers. They can be seen across all segments of pop culture, from television (Glee, Psych, Raising Hope and American Idol) to the movies; on Broadway and in books, online, and gracing the covers of popular magazines on newsstands everywhere. Connect with Martin and Martin Strings on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube and via www.martinguitar.com and www.martinstrings.com.

ABOUT ARTSQUEST

ArtsQuestTM is a Bethlehem, PA-based nonprofit dedicated to presenting music, arts, festivals, cultural experiences and educational and outreach programs that aid in economic development, urban revitalization, cultural arts and community enrichment. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest®; the Banana Factory® cultural arts and education center; and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacksTM arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest's programming reaches more than 1.3 million people annually.